Opinions & Interviews

Opinion: Unity is key to Belarus’ sustainable development

MINSK, 24 January (BelTA) – The unity of the society is key to Belarus’ sustainable development, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko said at the first National Forum on Sustainable Development in Minsk on 24 January, BelTA has learned.

According to him, civil peace in the country, absence of ethnic or religious conflicts are the main indicators of the unity of the Belarusian society and its improved legal and economic culture. “Today it is the key resource of sustainable development,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.

“For further dynamic development of Belarus, it is essential to preserve the unity of the nation and people’s trust in the authorities,” he added. “Our priorities stay the same: ensuring stability, security and high quality of life for Belarusians.”

He noted that the strategic policy documents make an emphasis  on the intellectual potential of the nation, high technologies, business promotion and involvement of all the layers of the society in the economy. Vladimir Andreichenko said that there is still a lot of work ahead to optimize of the state sector of the economy, increase public-private partnership, promote regional development and form new growth centers. It is also important to create conditions for self-realization of people. “These objectives are in sync with the SDGs. Being committed to sustainable development goals, the MPs are ready to cooperate with all stakeholders and involve citizens into this work,” the speaker added.

The first National Forum on Sustainable Development in Minsk has brought over 400 delegates take part in the forum: representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Economy Ministry, the Labor and Social Security Ministry, the Energy Ministry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, the National Statistics Committee, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Hi-Tech Park, manufacturing companies, higher learning institutions, NGOs, UN agencies and international experts. They are set to share views and put forward proposals on the further action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to outline goals and objectives for the short-term, mid-term and long-term perspectives.

The forum will review the national strategy on sustainable social and economic development of Belarus for the period till 2030 and the preparation of the national sustainable development strategy through 2035. The forum participants will also assess the status of readiness of Belarus to monitor the achievement of the SDGs, the organization of work in the regions. Special attention will be paid to the implementation by Belarus of the recommendations of the UN experts (MAPS mission) to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and interaction with international partners.

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